Skywatcher vs GSO 8" f/4 CF newt

[that_guy (Tony)]

Hi there, ive been browsing my next big purchase and decided on a 8" f/4 cf newtonian. Andrews sells a GSO one for $600 whereas bintel has a skywatcher brand one for $1450. Why is the skywatcher one more than twice the price? Is there any noticeable difference? Ill (hopefully) be using it with the baader mpcc and 500d on a heq5 mount if that matters.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Good point , but I have heard that the GSO ones need a few adaptors/spacers to reach focus using a DSLR , not $850 worth tho ..
Focusers should be comparible but for imaging a Moonlight would be the go but people do good stuff with the standard GSO and SW focusers after a little tinkering .

Every GSO Newtonion I have ever looked thru has has very good to excellent optics and build .

Your HEQ5 should carry the CF tube easily .

Brian.

[that_guy (Tony)]

I guess its juat a case of brand snobbery

[raymo]

This is not a straight forward comparison. Andrews are grey importers,
and as such can often get deals unavailable to normal retailers.
GSO and SW products are usually much of a muchness pricewise,
so I'm guessing that Andrews either got a great deal on a batch of GSO scopes, or are clearing out some excess stock. Andrews price for the 8"
SW f/4 CF imaging Newt is $1299, somewhat better than $1450, and also there is the SW five year warranty to consider. The GSO you mention is marketed as an imaging scope, so will probably not require any adaptors [other than the always needed T-ring] for use with a DSLR [the retailer will be able to tell you].
raymo

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Politics of telescope selling ,,,,, no one is safe but yes Ray you bring up valid points .

Brian.

Originally Posted by raymo

This is not a straight forward comparison. Andrews are grey importers,
and as such can often get deals unavailable to normal retailers.
GSO and SW products are usually much of a muchness pricewise,
so I'm guessing that Andrews either got a great deal on a batch of GSO scopes, or are clearing out some excess stock. Andrews price for the 8"
SW f/4 CF imaging Newt is $1299, somewhat better than $1450, and also there is the SW five year warranty to consider. The GSO you mention is marketed as an imaging scope, so will probably not require any adaptors [other than the always needed T-ring] for use with a DSLR [the retailer will be able to tell you].
raymo

[doppler (Rick)]

Here's a good write up for the specs on a skywatcher cf ota. Seems that the skywatcher has pyrex glass mirrors and baffles in the tube.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ref...newtonian.html

and one for the GSO

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/...n-Germany.html

Best to call the guys at Andrews and ask them about the differences they sell both scopes.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

great work Doppler .
Brian.

Originally Posted by doppler

Here's a good write up for the specs on a skywatcher cf ota. Seems that the skywatcher has pyrex glass mirrors and baffles in the tube.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/ref...newtonian.html

and one for the GSO

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/...n-Germany.html

Best to call the guys at Andrews and ask them about the differences they sell both scopes.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

OOP's My iStar is better than my sold 127mm triplet ?

My C9.25 is better than my sold Takahashi Mewlon 210 ?


I HATE !!! scope snobbery ,,, have been banned more than once from our sweet IIS .

I have and love and use my iStar 127mm Achromat instead of a 127mm triplet .. Why ?

I have and love ( really do ) my C9.25 instead of a beautiful Takahashi M210 ?


The C9.25 beat the Mewlon ,,,,
,
Sold the Tak ,,, Yes I know scope snobbery and hate it .

Don't ask me about my ( SOLD ) Takahashi Sky90 When she is side by side with my Saxon 90mm f10 achro ??? .
i HEAR YOU ,,, SOME PEOPLE BEILEVE THAT BECAUSE YOUR SCOPE IS WORTH 3X- 10x THE OTHERS ,,,, ? ,,, ITS BETTER ? ,,, HELL YES MECHANICALLY YES ,,, OPTICALLY ??? THE FIGHT BEGIN'S .



Brian.

Originally Posted by that_guy

I guess its juat a case of brand snobbery

[that_guy (Tony)]

anyone know if i can get away with the gso coma corrector or will i have to fork out for the baader?

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

GSO's are very good middle of the road correctors ,,,
grab one and use it ,,,,, and most of all ,,,
Enjoy

Brian

Originally Posted by that_guy

anyone know if i can get away with the gso coma corrector or will i have to fork out for the baader?

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

OOP'S
Forgot ,,,, and learn brother .

Brian

[Atmos (Colin)]

Originally Posted by that_guy

anyone know if i can get away with the gso coma corrector or will i have to fork out for the baader?

Get the Baader, the GSO is a bit of a headache to use. Optically the GSO is similar to the Baader and it better to use visually due to a longer back focus but it is a headache to use for imaging.

[doppler (Rick)]

I am having the same dilemma, from what I have read the GSO corrector is a sharp at the edges but bit soft at centre, so my choice is between the Skywatcher and BAADER, the skywatcher being $60 cheaper.... but I will probably go with the Baader.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

That's a good price but I'd want it to come with lessons on how to collimate

[that_guy (Tony)]

I've owned several dobs over the years so collimation is almost second nature now aha.

[that_guy (Tony)]

Im assuming id be pushing the mount a bit if i were to use my ed80 as a guidescope with the newt? If so, wipl my finderguider be sufficient?

[doppler (Rick)]

The finder guiders are supposed to be good for guiding up to 1500mm focal length, mine works ok with my RC 6" (1350mm fl). Finder guiders are a lot easier to work with (set up, mount and line up) than a proper refractor as a guide scope.

[that_guy (Tony)]

should be alright for an f4 8", 800mm fl

[that_guy (Tony)]

scope arriving tomorrow, MPCC and extra counterweight bought from local store. Everything looks good

EDIT: andrews got the address wrong and sent it to the wrong house. gotta wait another day for it to get redelivered ((

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Keep us posted Tony, I'm interested in hearing how you get on, for the price it sounds like a bargain...